o’clock in the afternoon.

Lanfeng International Hotel, 23rd floor.

In the private banquet hall’s exclusive dressing room, the air was filled with the scent of high-end cosmetics and perfumes.

Tian Jing sat on a soft makeup chair, letting two top stylists make the final touches to her hair and makeup.

She wore a haute couture dress air-shipped from Paris, the small diamonds on the dress refracting a dazzling and mesmerizing light under the soft lighting.

Beside her, Xu Qing had also changed her clothes and was adjusting her skirt in the mirror, feeling a bit uneasy.

"Knock, knock, knock—" The sound of knocking came through.

"Come in."

Immediately, the banquet manager in a black uniform walked in.

He softly said, "Miss Tian, the venue has been set up, and the west side’s reception hall is also ready. You can prepare to move now."

"Got it, thank you."

Then, the makeup artist stopped what they were doing and followed the manager out.

Tian Jing flashed a sweet smile at the mirror and turned to look at Xu Qing.

She mischievously said, "Sister Qingqing, it’s my birthday today, you can’t steal Brother Tang Song from me."

"Oh, alright." Xu Qing pouted.

She felt that the reason Tian Jing insisted she come was due to a mischievous pleasure at "wife showing up the mistress," to declare her sovereignty and establish her position as the "main palace."

But around Tang Song, there are also people like Shangguan Qiuya and Wen Ruan.

There will be a bunch of messy things in the future.

She’s too lazy (or afraid) to get involved in it.

Tian Jing laughed sweetly, stepped forward and took Xu Qing’s hand, suddenly lowering her voice:

"Don’t be unhappy, we’ll be best sisters forever. In the future, we’ll share the same ’treasure’ and have the deepest bond. Who knows... we might even play together in the same King Size bed. Am I right?"

"Ah! You... you pervert! Don’t say such things!"

Xu Qing’s face blushed instantly, like she was scalded, and she flung Tian Jing’s hand away as if electrocuted.

Tian Jing looked at her embarrassed and annoyed little face, chuckling mischievously, with a more cunning glint in her eyes.

The two played around for a while, then left the makeup room together.

Accompanied by two staff members, they walked through the internal passageway to the "Star Language Hall" on the west side of the banquet hall.

The place was set up more like a fashion party, and a small jazz band was playing lively Bossa Nova music at the entrance corridor.

The exquisite dessert area was filled with canapés like caviar tarts and truffle fries, along with colorful non-alcoholic cocktails crafted by celebrity mixologists on the spot.

Two specially invited top fashion photographers were capturing exciting moments inside with their cameras.

Tian Jing pointed at the photographers and said to Xu Qing, "Sister Qingqing, you’re so beautiful today, it’d be a pity not to take a few photos. These photographers have shot for magazines before; the results are definitely no worse than your artistic photoshoots."

The luxurious environment, tailor-made Chanel dress, dazzling jewelry, and perfect makeup...

For Xu Qing, who already loves cosplay and frequently shoots various photoshoots, how could she resist such temptation?

"Alright." Xu Qing gracefully brushed her hair behind her ear, trying hard to suppress her excitement, though it was already evident in her eyes.

Soon enough, the photographers were in position.

The lights focused, and Xu Qing stood under the crystal chandelier in the reception hall, lifting her chin slightly, immediately striking a pose that was both sexy and full of aggressive queenly aura.

"Click—"

The flash lit up, capturing the beauty of the moment.

...

"Ding—"

The elevator slowly stopped on the 23rd floor.

A group of five well-dressed young men and women exited one after another under the guidance of the hotel staff.

The carpet underfoot was thick and soft, and the entire floor was so quiet that only the distant sound of jazz music could be faintly heard. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

They turned two corners, and a massive three-dimensional welcome poster came into view.

Near the entrance to the passageway, there was a check-in desk adorned with a luxurious white flower wreath, champagne-colored balloons, and starry light strings.

Two receptionists in elegant gowns were waiting there with smiles.

Qin Hua stopped and smiled, saying to her friends, "This is it. This year, Tian Jing’s family invited more people, including some of her elders, so it’s more grandly arranged than in previous years."

The friends around nodded and smiled in agreement:

"Wow, Jingjing’s vibe is becoming more and more like a leading lady!"

"This poster design is really nice, I’ll have to contact this company to make one for me too."

The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at the check-in desk, showing their invitation cards to the staff.

The staff verified the details and then smiled, inviting them to sign their names on the exquisite guestbook.

They also registered the prepared gifts each had brought.

The receptionist introduced sweetly, "Additionally, tonight’s party has a ’masquerade’ theme. Please feel free to pick a mask you like here. Of course, this is entirely up to your preferences and not mandatory."

She pointed to a velvet wall displaying dozens of half-face masks.

The group let out small exclamations of surprise and eagerly began to pick out masks.

Having donned their chosen masks, the group, accompanied by two hosts wearing simple silver masks, entered the magnificent "Star Language Hall."

They immediately spotted the party’s most dazzling "star," Tian Jing, amid the crowd.